Albert Barnes Commentary John 5:35

"He was the lamp that burneth and shineth; and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in his light." — John 5:35 (ASV)

He was. It is probable that John had been cast into prison before this. Therefore, his public ministry had ceased, and our Savior says he was such a light.

Light. The word in the original properly means a lamp, and is not the same word that in John 1:4-5 is translated light. That is a word commonly applied to the sun, the fountain of light; this means a lamp, or a light that is lit up or kindled artificially from oil or tallow. A teacher is often called a light because he guides or illuminates the minds of others. Romans 2:19 states: Thou art confident that thou art a guide of the blind, a light of them that sit in darkness. (John 12:46; Matthew 5:14).

A burning. A lamp lit up that burns with a steady luster.

Shining. Not dim, not indistinct. The expression means that he was an eminent teacher; that his doctrines were clear, distinct, and consistent.

Ye were willing. You willed, or you chose; you went out voluntarily. This shows that some of those whom Jesus was now addressing were among the great multitudes of Pharisees that came to John in the wilderness (Matthew 3:7). As they had at one time admitted John to be a prophet, Jesus might with great propriety adduce his testimony in his favor.

For a season. In the original, for an hour—denoting only a short time. They did it, as many others do, while he was popular, and it was the fashion to follow him.

To rejoice in his light. To rejoice in his doctrines, and in admitting that he was a distinguished prophet; perhaps, also, to rejoice that he professed to be sent to introduce the Messiah, until they found that he bore testimony to Jesus of Nazareth.